Thomas W. Cranmer

Principal

cranmer@millercanfield.com

Troy
T: 248.267.3381
O: 248.879.2000
F: 248.879.2001

Thomas W. Cranmer concentrates his practice in both criminal and civil litigation. With more than 30 years of courtroom experience, his practice focuses largely on white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and arbitration/facilitation matters. Over the years, he has repeatedly been recognized as one of Michigan’s leading trial lawyers.

“In the types of litigation matters we handle, the stakes are often very high. At Miller Canfield, we have an uncompromising commitment to achieving the best outcome possible in each and every case that we handle.”
Thomas W. Cranmer

Tom is the leader of the Criminal Defense Practice Group and an active commercial litigator. Prior to joining the firm, Tom served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Oakland County and an Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Tom has extensive experience as a leader and instructor of trial advocacy including teaching for one of the preeminent trial advocacy programs in the United States, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. In addition, he has lectured and written on a wide variety of civil litigation, criminal law and evidence topics. He is a co-author of a Michigan treatise, Civil Trials and Evidence, a contributing author to Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Law for The Thomas M. Cooley Law School teaching Evidence.

Experience

Tom has represented corporations, partnerships, financial institutions and individuals in a wide variety of matters including: income tax evasion; Medicaid-Medicare, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and health-care fraud; Food & Drug Administration investigations; criminal OSHA, MIOSHA and state/federal environmental matters; criminal antitrust investigations; Customs violations; bankruptcy fraud; mail and wire fraud; insurance fraud; bank fraud and embezzlement; defense contractor fraud; securities fraud and matters with the SEC; public corruption; immigration matters, police corruption and misconduct and RICO violations.

He also has extensive experience in conducting internal corporate audits, independent Audit Committee reviews and counseling concerning corporate compliance programs. Tom has also been involved in handling complex civil litigation, labor and employment litigation, class action securities litigation as well as representing both attorneys and judges in a variety of proceedings alleging malpractice or professional misconduct.

Professional Activities

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2000
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2000
International Society of Barristers, Fellow, 2003
American Board of Trial Advocates, 2000
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2007
State Bar of Michigan President, 2005-2006; President-Elect, 2004-2005; Chairperson, Public Policy Committee; Chairperson, Statewide Access to Justice Campaign; Board of Commissioners, 1997-2006; Representative Assembly, 1986-1992; Chairperson, Standing Committee on Grievance, 1993-1997
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2006-present
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan; Chapter President, 1995-1996
Oakland County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 1992-present; President, 2002-2003
Oakland County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1994-2003
Oakland County Criminal Assignment Committee, Co-Chairperson and Founding Member, 1996-1999
United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Trustee, Historical Society, 2007-present; Local Rules Advisory Committee, 1989-1992; Special Committee on Review of the Local Rules, 1990-1991
Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Life Member, 1999-present
American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2005
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 1995
Oakland County Bar Foundation, Charter Fellow, 1992
American Arbitration Association, Hearing Panel Member, 1990-present
Oakland County Circuit and District Courts, Mediator, 1986-present
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, 1994-present

Honors + Awards

Best Lawyers in America (Listed in the categories of: Bet the Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense; Non-White Collar Defense)
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 10 Michigan Super Lawyers 2006-2008; 3rd Top Point Getter in Michigan 2007; 2nd Top Point Getter in Michigan 2008
Crain's Detroit Business, Selected as one of Detroit's Power Lawyers, 2008
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2007 Lawyer of the Year
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation, 2004-2008; White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2008
Who's Who in American Law
Who's Who in America
Who's Who in Detroit Business - Law, Crains Detroit Business, November 2005
Michigan Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Stars 2008
Oakland County Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award, 1996
Federal Bar Association's Leonard R. Gilman Award, Presented to an Outstanding Practitioner of Criminal Law, 1995
Drug Enforcement Administration Award, 1981
United States Department of Justice Special Achievement Award, 1980

Teaching Experience

Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, (teaching Evidence), 2005-present

Publications

"How to Handle the Media in a High-Profile Case," Ann Arbor Area Business Monthly, May 2005

"Safeguarding Your Company: Key Factors Influencing Sentencing of Business Organizations," Midwest In-House, April 2005

"Civil Trials and Evidence," West Publishing, (2001) co-author with the Honorable Gerald E. Rosen, Honorable Kurtis T. Wilder and Rodger D. Young, Esq.

"Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit," Lawyers Cooperative Publishing, (1996) contributing author

"Federal Criminal Practice Rules," James Publishing, Editorial Advisory Board (1996)

Speeches

"Recent Changes in Federal Rules of Civil Procedures and Local Court Rules," The Rutter Group, 2008

"Major Changes in Federal Practice," The Rutter Group, 2005

"Survival Skills in U.S. District Court," The Rutter Group, 2003

"Conducting an Effective Cross-Examination," Lorman Education Services, 2003

"Federal Civil Trials," The Rutter Group, 2002

"A Day of Criminal Law in Genesee County: Issues in Sentencing and Criminal Practice and Procedure Update," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2002

"Criminal Practice and Procedure Update," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2002

"Federal Litigation a Cyberworld," The Rutter Group, 2001

"What Makes Juries Listen? - Connecting With the Jury," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2001

"Federal Rules of Evidence Complex Issues - Practical Solutions," The Rutter Group, 1999

"How to Win Your First Jury Trial," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1999

"Representing Criminal Defendants," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1997

"Destination Federal Court," The Rutter Group, 1996

"Evidence: Sharpening Your Direct and Cross-Examination Skills," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1995

View full profile